Maidstone Autumn Small Boats Head - Oct 2013

This year's autumn race was held on a truly beautiful indian summer's day with calm waters, still winds and a full entry.

The Head's organisation is now honed to close to perfection given the constraints of our narrow, bendy stretch of water, resulting in a well run day, plenty of volunteers and only one capsizing (to my knowledge).  But then, what is the MIRC Small Boats Head without a capsize or two?

real life capsize drill

Mr Porter enjoys the river too!

The club brought home 4 victories - 3 of which came in the top ten times of the 190 strong field.

They were:

James Knight and Lewin Hynes (Lewin sporting his Kings School Canterbury colours) in the Masters B2x winning the BCD2x category against opposition from MIRC, Kings Canterbury and Medway. Impressively, they came 3rd overall with a time of 8.52.  An excellent achievement for a veteran double.

The Masters also came 7th in the Masters D4x+ in the DEF4x+ category (their third win of this event in a row).  Ollie Barton, Geraint Evans, Ray Philips and Richard Huggins were coxed by Andi Barker, and came in with their best time to date (9.02) against another MIRC D4x+ and an Erith F4x+.

Ross Porter and Jack Grace came 8th in the J182x event against Globe, Ardingley and Gravesend in a time of 9.10, which also won them the pennant for fastest Junior boat.

Finally, the juniors rowing in the Novice 4+ event of Tom Long, Dan Singer, Frederick English, Dom Tinker and coxed by Sam Rogers came 20th in 9.38 beating a strong field consisting of 2 crews apiece from Kings Canterbury and Gravesend, Herne Bay and a fellow MIRC crew.  No photo of them - has anyone got one?

Well done everyone!

See below some pics from the event.  Thanks to Susan Warren, Andi Barker and Alan Leeson.

all action by the club!

MIRC Spring Small Boats Head - 2013

Once again, Maidstone was graced with beautiful weather as our Spring Head heralded the start of Spring after a pretty grim winter in terms of cold, wind, rain and lost outings due to fast stream warnings.

This was another full event with the usual strong contingents from the likes of Poplar, Globe, Medway, Gravesend, Erith, Ardingly, Kings School Canterbury, Kent College and Kent University.  We even had representation from the West of London from Tideway Scuillers and Kingston Grammar.

With no wind and a slow stream, we had an even playing field across the 3 divisions.

MIRC picked up 4 wins:

The Masters D quad of Ollie Barton, Geraint Evans, Ray Phillips and Richard Huggins, coxed by Liz Ridgway, were the fastest MIRC crew and won this event for the 3rd time in a row. They came 3rd overall in 9.07.

Messers Huggins and Evans went on to win the Masters D 2x event in 9.44, despite a costly tangle with the bushes (and on home turf too, the shame of it!)

K Belton won the J17 singles sculls in an impressive time of 10.17.

Nick Bird won his comeback home Head in the Masters D/E singles with 10.42.

Again, another excellently organised and run event, so a big thanks to Rob Kenway for coordinating the support.  Only 2 dips in the water (what is the MIRC SBH without at least a few?).  Results coming out faster (thanks Anne).  No angry owners of damaged river boats, and only a few peed off fishermen.

See you in the Autumn.

See other excellent pics provided by Alistair Hill and Andrea Barker below...